Red train missing from SROS

themeparkne

Saturday, September 21, 2002 1:13 PM

I just got back from SFNE and was very dismayed to find that the red train has again been removed from the track. I called to ask where it was and why it had been removed, and they told me it needed maintenance. Nice and specific. Anyway, I really thought the park was getting back on track, but this recent turn of events really discourages me.

Secondly, Batman: Dark Knight was running two trains and was walk-on all day, and yet they were assigning seats! Why? I can't believe that the park has gone from being very well-run in the spring to an operations nightmare now.

themeparkne

Saturday, September 21, 2002 1:23 PM

I'd rather have them run one train and have choice of seats. The coaster was so uncrowded today that even with one train, it would have been a maximum of a one-cycle wait. They were stacking trains all day.

CalvinJ23

Saturday, September 21, 2002 1:58 PM

I was just about to start a new topic on this. I just got back from SFNE and was just wondering the same. Only the blue train was running, while the red train was no where to be found. (removed from the transfer tracks) We asked a few ride ups, and all we got for an answer was

BATWING FAN SFA

Saturday, September 21, 2002 4:31 PM

Man I hope to see both the red & blue trains running on SFA's S:ROS when I get out there in a couple of weeks.

As for assigned seating on B:TDK,SFNE dude has the right answer,sometimes on Batwing the ride ops do the same thing,they'll start assigning seats,actually in some ways assigning seats is good because it can make the line move a bit faster.

(SF)Great American

General Public

Saturday, September 21, 2002 8:00 PM

First of all, don't expect parks to be specific when you ask them questions about ride operations. I'm really surprised they even told you it was due to maintenance. It's a way they cover themselves from litigation. (cover yo'... you know).

Because the end of the season is near, they may have pulled it off to begin overhauling it for next season. They take off allt he fiberglass, inspect each part, replace a lot of joints and pins, and probably magnafluz each carbody to insure no cracks/fractures have developed.

flyingmonkeyking

Saturday, September 21, 2002 8:18 PM

I went to SFNE at the eend of August and both the superman trains were running.I think the trip was a waste bcz all the coasters had at least an hour wait. gr...i waited an hour and a half 2 go on batman and i was definatly not worth it.

Joe E.

Saturday, September 21, 2002 10:41 PM

Wasn't the red train the new one that was put on later this year? I would think that train should have the least problems.

I noticed red train was running with nylon wheels on a warm day in August and blue wasn't. There could be a performance issue and with it. Still I was surprised how fast both trains ran for the morning test runs.

Jim Fisher

Sunday, September 22, 2002 4:54 AM

If the red train is in fact new that would make it the first priority for maintenance. An older train has been through maintenance before to catch any latent manufacturing defects. On a new train you don't know what may be wrong until you have inspected it once after it's been in service. In my business pretty much everything is inspected after one year in service, Then based on how things look we can extend the intervals between inspections, often to 5 years or more. Coasters have to be inspected and overhauled every year due to the difficult to measure fatigue issues involved.

CalvinJ23

Sunday, September 22, 2002 8:23 AM

That clanking sound that you heard was from the back panel of the last train. it was kinda loose but still held on by the bottom two bolts. when you go into the first helix you could hear it clang against the top part. (there was also another time on the ride where you could hear it) but they had fixed that the by the last time i was there...last week of august i believe it was.

the red train was also sparking alittle coming into the brake run, but i wouldnt consider that a problem because ive seen so many coasters do it.

themeparkne

Sunday, September 22, 2002 11:58 AM

There must have been some major issues to make them decide to remove it completely from service, most likely for the remainder of the season. Superman is the park's premier coaster, and to double wait times for two months is a fairly bold move. I guess we have to trust that there was a major problem, but it's still frustration nonetheless.